In ancient Scotland, the ancestors of the Danehay family were part of a tribe called the Picts. The name Danehay is derived from the personal name Dennis. Danehay is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Some patronyms were formed from the personal names of the father of the bearer, while others came from prominent religious and secular figures. The surname Danehay was first established in Lancashire, prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Danehay Early Origins

The surname Danehay was first found in Lancashire (located in northwest England and dates back to 1180), where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Danehay Spelling Variations

Danehay Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Danehay has been spelled Denny, Denney, Dennie, Denie, Denye, Deanney, Deannie and many more.

Danehay Early History

Danehay Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Danehay research. Another 257 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 10,0, 1424, 1634, 1st , 1676, 1501 and 1549 are included under the topic Early Danehay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Danehay Early Notables (pre 1700)

Danehay Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Danehay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Danehay In Ireland

Danehay In Ireland

Some of the Danehay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Danehay: Thomas Denny from Combs, Devon, England settled in Leicester, Massachusetts in 1646; Mary Denny settled in New England (Massachusetts) in 1635; another Mary Denny settled in Maryland in 1736.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Bowman, George Ernest. The Mayflower Reader A Selection of Articales from The Mayflower Descendent. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.

Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3).

Skordas, Guest. Ed. The Early Settlers of Maryland an Index to Names or Immigrants Complied from Records of Land Patents 1633-1680 in the Hall of Records Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. Print.

The Danehay Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Danehay Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.